Wheelchair Question

[MinnieM3]

Would like to hear ya'll's opinion and/or advice on my wheelchair dilemna.

Over the past year, I've had cancer surgery, 6 months of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation. Finished up in early August, went back to work (I teach 3rd grade) 2 weeks later. I'm wiped out every day after work and rest at least 1 to 2 hours upon getting home.

We went to WDW during my cancer treatment and I used a wheelchair and was so grateful to have it. This trip, I know I could walk part of the day, but would need a wheelchair later on in the day. (We usually sleep in and stay late).

I don't know whether to use a wheelchair from the Contemporary and just push it around empty until I need it or to take my chances and just get on from the parks. I'm afraid since we're going at a busy time (Thanksgiving week) that they may all be gone from the parks by the time I need one.

Should I worry about what other people will think about us pushing around an empty wheelchair part of the day or just do it and to heck with what other people think? (a hard attitude for me to adopt!) Or should I just hope one will be available at the parks all day long?

Thanks for any and all advice.
Beth

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm wiped out every day after work and rest at least 1 to 2 hours upon getting home.

That would make me think you would need a wheelchair.
If you have one all day, you could alternate rest periods riding in the chair with walking throughtout the day instead of waiting until you are really tired and then getting one.
If you think of energy as a bank account, why use it all up just getting from place to place.

 

[webmomom]

I agree totally with the other poster. It is no ones business why you have a wheelchair. I would try to get on from the hotel. First of all they let you have and you will not have to pay for it, like you do when you enter the parks. I have found some of the walks to get to the different parks are long and if you are wanting to rent a wheelchair is it really long. If you have chair from the hotel you can take it with you from the beginning of the day through the whole day as they are given to you to use for your entire stay there.

I have had to use one of several occassions. I have tendorist of the feet and the walking kills me. I look like I am totally healthy and I am also a very bad asthmatic, so when I am in a wheelchair I get looks. I can get out of the chair and go to the bathroom or a ride, but I cannot walk for extended amount of time. I don't like taking space in the wheelchair areas as I can stand watch whatever is going on and believe it I had almost had to fight with people as they wanted me to going into the handicapped area. I feel that is for people who are really handicapped.

go enjoy yourself, and don't worry what the other peole are thinging, hopefully they will never need to use one.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Don't worry about anyone else's opinion, just worry about your health. We are taking our two kids next week, and our oldest has so many health issues, that a wheelchair will be the only thing that will enable her to get the most out of her trip. She has endurance issues too, and we won't be worrying about someone else's opinion, we'll be too busy enjoying the parks and our kid's reactions.
Kim

 

[SueM in MN]

You can follow the link in my signature to get to the disABILITIES Board. There is a disABILITIES FAQs thread at the top that has information on wheelchairs - different ways to get them (like renting at the parks, from off-site or borrowing one from your WDW resort).
You might also want to look into renting an ecv (power scooter) from one of the off-site medical equipment rental places. Ecvs give maximum independence because no one has to push you.

Whether you use an ecv or a wheelchair, what some people do is use it to get to the general area (like drive it to Fantasyland). Then they park it in an out of the way place while they do the rides/attractions in that area and pick it up again before they go to the next area. If you have an ecv, they have keys to turn them on; just take the key with you and no one can take the ecv. For wheelchairs, a bike lock can be threaded thru 2 wheels so that it can't be used, but can still be moved by CMs if needed (you can't lock a stroller or wheelchair to anything because CMs need to be able to move it if necessary for safety.

 

[cdntourguide]

Get the wheelchair from the resort if you can. It is much better to have one available when you need it than to try to find one when it is needed at the park.
My sister has to use a wheelchair maybe one day every three or four days, and we end up renting an ECV for her, cost is $30.00per day ($40 but you get $10 back at the end of the day if you actually return it to the renting stand).
Plus if you have a wheelchair with you, you will always have a place to sit while in those long, long lines.
Stay healthy, don't wear yourself out, take the wheelchair. Plus it will reduce the stress on those people traveling with you (maybe one of them might need to sit in the chair once in while)